The Official Onkyo TX-NR525 Thread

[solarrdadd]

well howdy boys and girls, crazy old Uncle Solarrdadd here. looks like Onkyo has released a new 2013 line of receivers. i had a TX-NR509 in my bedroom and loved it, but, my daughter is going off to grad school soon and i wanted her to have something nice; a big girl receiver so she can get rid of the computer speaker/receiver system she currently has!

much like the 509, i didn't want to spend a ton of money on a receiver for the bedroom, another 509 would have done the trick. having said that, i saw the information that onkyo had about the new line-up that they would be releasing. i could tell that the TX-NR525 was going to fit the bill to a "T". here are a couple of shots of the front and back it's very onkyo'ish in the styling which is what we've come to expect.


front:

Onkyo_TX-NR525_Front.jpg


rear:


Onkyo_TX-NR525_Rear.jpg

if you have had the 509 or simiular model, they you have kinda had this one, except for a bunch of nice new features that onkyo has thrown up in there, such as:

•6in/1out HDMI Support for 3D Video and Audio Return Channel
•4K Passtrough Function from Compatible Source Devices via HDMI®
•Network Capability Delivers Internet Radio and Network Streaming
•Playback of Audio Files Through Local Network
•Picture-in-Picture Input Source Preview with InstaPrevue™ Technology
•Direct Digital Connection of iPod/iPhone via Front-Panel USB Port
•Supports Onkyo Remote Apps for iPod touch®/iPhone® and Android Devices
•Audyssey MultEQ® for Room Acoustic Correction
•Zone 2 Line-Out for Distributed Audio Playback in Another Room

now, while all of those features are nice, the bolded ones are the most important to me (cause i don't have nor probably will while this thing works, a 4K TV! ) i do have a large library of music on a NAS and i use to use an external DAC and transport to be able to stream anything above 96/24 because most of the older model onkyo receivers & pre-amps, well, that was there limitation via network or usb. well all that's changed!

tonight, i was streaming everything from MP3's all the way up to 192/24 audio some streaming at close to 6800kbps. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL (it's like an infomercial, sham-wow cause i can do this all day!) this entry level player (as it's called) streams DSD and Dolby TrueHD (192/24 for DTrueHD files only) files via ethernet from my NAS. yep, you heard me, DSD & DTHD streaming, right outta it's entry level box.

i listened to:

Gregory James's: "Cult of Beauty" album's selection "Sarasvati" with the displayed streaming as DSD 1BIT @ 2822.4MHZ

Man, did that sound incredible; my two channel has never sounded so good in that room! onkyo is bringing the ability for folks of all price ranges, an opportunity to listen to and truely enjoy all types and levels of audio resolution. i do salute them for this. oh, and the best part, i got it for just under $350 sonova.....!

for the most part, i'm very happy with the receiver. yes, it could use a nip-tuck here and there, but, again, i'm very happy. i suspect that the things i'm picking at can and will be taken care of in a firmware update that should be either their first or maybe second release when they get to it.

i have to say, that once again, i've stuck with onkyo and not regretted it. they have made another "bang for yer buck" line of receivers and i think they've got real hits on their hands.

i wish them much success with this new line. i do recommend them for folks on a budget who still want to be able to enjoy what cost $ hundreds or thousands in stand alone DAC's. now before anyone goes off at that statement, does this mean that these onkyo's sound as good or better than DAC's that cost 2 & 3 $K, i'm not saying that, i am saying that it sounds good and does it's job and will help the everyday man get into this hi-resolution audio thing as a start to see (or rather hear, pun intended) what they have possibly been missing and really be able to determine if they like it (at such little cost) and aspire to move on and even up later on to some "Big Boy, Grown Up DAC" stuff later!

hey, for some of us, this will be all the DAC we need. it's plenty for me, in my bedroom.

i'd very much like to hear what other's have to say. i do only ask that we please be respectfull of others when we reply or post and notice the name of the thread is NOT "let's bash and hate to death onkyo" so, i have no problem with folks not happy with them, but this thread is about the 525 and not all of onkyo so please lets try to keep it on topic.

enjoy people, please give til it almost hurts but, remember, play nice with the other kids!

[v_squared123]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

well howdy boys and girls, crazy old Uncle Solarrdadd here. looks like Onkyo has released a new 2013 line of receivers. i had a TX-NR509 in my bedroom and loved it, but, my daughter is going off to grad school soon and i wanted her to have something nice; a big girl receiver so she can get rid of the computer speaker/receiver system she currently has!

much like the 509, i didn't want to spend a ton of money on a receiver for the bedroom, another 509 would have done the trick. having said that, i saw the information that onkyo had about the new line-up that they would be releasing. i could tell that the TX-NR525 was going to fit the bill to a "T". here are a couple of shots of the front and back it's very onkyo'ish in the styling which is what we've come to expect.


front:

Attachment 63859


rear:


Attachment 63860

if you have had the 509 or simiular model, they you have kinda had this one, except for a bunch of nice new features that onkyo has thrown up in there, such as:

•6in/1out HDMI Support for 3D Video and Audio Return Channel
•4K Passtrough Function from Compatible Source Devices via HDMI®
•Network Capability Delivers Internet Radio and Network Streaming
•Playback of Audio Files Through Local Network
•Picture-in-Picture Input Source Preview with InstaPrevue™ Technology
•Direct Digital Connection of iPod/iPhone via Front-Panel USB Port
•Supports Onkyo Remote Apps for iPod touch®/iPhone® and Android Devices
•Audyssey MultEQ® for Room Acoustic Correction
•Zone 2 Line-Out for Distributed Audio Playback in Another Room

now, while all of those features are nice, the bolded ones are the most important to me (cause i don't have nor probably will while this thing works, a 4K TV! ) i do have a large library of music on a NAS and i use to use an external DAC and transport to be able to stream anything above 96/24 because most of the older model onkyo receivers & pre-amps, well, that was there limitation via network or usb. well all that's changed!

tonight, i was streaming everything from MP3's all the way up to 192/24 audio some streaming at close to 6800kbps. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL (it's like an infomercial, sham-wow cause i can do this all day!) this entry level player (as it's called) streams DSD and Dolby TrueHD (192/24 for DTrueHD files only) files via ethernet from my NAS. yep, you heard me, DSD & DTHD streaming, right outta it's entry level box.

i listened to:

Gregory James's: "Cult of Beauty" album's selection "Sarasvati" with the displayed streaming as DSD 16BIT @ 2822.4KHZ

Man, did that sound incredible; my two channel has never sounded so good in that room! onkyo is bringing the ability for folks of all price ranges, an opportunity to listen to and truely enjoy all types and levels of audio resolution. i do salute them for this. oh, and the best part, i got it for just under $350 sonova.....!

for the most part, i'm very happy with the receiver. yes, it could use a nip-tuck here and there, but, again, i'm very happy. i suspect that the things i'm picking at can and will be taken care of in a firmware update that should be either their first or maybe second release when they get to it.

i have to say, that once again, i've stuck with onkyo and not regretted it. they have made another "bang for yer buck" line of receivers and i think they've got real hits on their hands.

i wish them much success with this new line. i do recommend them for folks on a budget who still want to be able to enjoy what cost $ hundreds or thousands in stand alone DAC's. now before anyone goes off at that statement, does this mean that these onkyo's sound as good or better than DAC's that cost 2 & 3 $K, i'm not saying that, i am saying that it sounds good and does it's job and will help the everyday man get into this hi-resolution audio thing as a start to see (or rather hear, pun intended) what they have possibly been missing and really be able to determine if they like it (at such little cost) and aspire to move on and even up later on to some "Big Boy, Grown Up DAC" stuff later!

hey, for some of us, this will be all the DAC we need. it's plenty for me, in my bedroom.

i'd very much like to hear what other's have to say. i do only ask that we please be respectfull of others when we reply or post and notice the name of the thread is NOT "let's bash and hate to death onkyo" so, i have no problem with folks not happy with them, but this thread is about the 525 and not all of onkyo so please lets try to keep it on topic.

enjoy people, please give til it almost hurts but, remember, play nice with the other kids!

Hi Solarrdad, ive been reading about Onkyos' unrealiability within their budget receiver line. How is this receiver holding up for you? Ive been reading that the budget line gets awfully hot and over time some functions cease to work! Im really looking forward to pulling the trigger on this model!

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by v_squared123

Hi Solarrdad, ive been reading about Onkyos' unrealiability within their budget receiver line. How is this receiver holding up for you? Ive been reading that the budget line gets awfully hot and over time some functions cease to work! Im really looking forward to pulling the trigger on this model!

since i got it, i've turned it on everyday when i get home and it stays on until i go to bed (burn in testing) and it's never gotten hot. it runs even cooler than the 509 that it replaced.

i can't talk to what other people are saying about theirs. while i'm sure some are truth, i'm also sure some are people who just don't like onkyo, just as much as i'm sure some are probably just hear say with no first hand knowledge (you know, "i heard").

so again, i'm very happy with it and it's been on for about almost 6hrs per day since i got it on Friday. the only issue that i had was with a couple of 192/24 albums; can't tell if it's an onkyo or an album issue because i just purchased the Eagles entire studio box collection from HDTracks in 192/24 and every selection i've played has worked without exception and has sounded great.

i haven't tried all the features out yet. i don't have 3D or 4K so i can't speak to any of those. so far, for blu-ray movies, hd cable, streaming hi-rez audio via networking have all worked to and beyond my expectations so for me, for the money, it's a winner.

one thing to keep in mind that the model i got, is a real entry level, bare bones unit. on the receiver, it won't show speaker config (those little squares representing channels), no album art for music stuff like that. but it still has the functionality. the on-screen info is very minimal again, you gotta know that up front. you can still get the info you need most of the time but will have to hit the display button a couple of times to get it. these are compromises for true features vs cosmetic features. if one goes into this, having done good research on it, and can get by without certain extras, it's a good unit for the price. it's by no means a powerhouse, but, my speakers are in the 90db's so they are easy to drive. also, it's for a small/medium sized room so i never have to play it loudly, despite the fact that it can play loudly and clearly.

as long as folks know, really know about the unit, what they are getting into before they buy it, there should be no surprises or issues. face it, how many receivers can do 3D, 4K, and stream hi-rez audio to 192/24 to include streaming DSD & Dolby TrueHD audio files (2 channel) right outta the box for under $350

i'm neither too proud or ashamed to admit that i have an entry level receiver in my bedroom and love it. of course it does what i need it to do and i'm happy and still have money in my pocket too!

[D Bone]

Hey everyone. I registered today to join this thread. I am new here, but I'm far from a newbie. My Onkyo 709's HDMI board & power supply went out, and once it is back from the repair shop, I'm going to sell it and cut my losses. I tried a Denon 1713 to replace it, but was unhappy with the OSD disappearing whenever there was a video resolution change while watching DirecTV, so I sent it back.

I run a 5.1 living room based set up comprised of 4 Klipsch Icon WB-14s, 1 Klipsch Icon WC-24 and a Cadence CSX-12 sub. I have no need or desire for 7.1 or video processing in my receiver, so the 525 fits my needs perfectly. Also, I am spoiled by what Audyssey XT does to my system, and more specifically, the bass, so it was also a must as well. I know the 525 'only' sports MultEQ, but from the feedback that I have received, users don't seem to notice a huge difference between MultEQ & MultEQ XT, but I guess I'll be the judge of that. The 525 does have DEQ of course, and the same filter resolution for the sub as XT, and that's what's important to me.

Truthfully, I was never, ever, ever going to buy another Onkyo product again, but I just couldn't get the features that I wanted without buying a bunch of features that I will never use, and that ended up bothering me more. You can probably tell from my gear that value vs performance is important to me.

I will receive my 525 Friday, and it will be calibrated this weekend. I will update my impressions after I get some time on the unit. This is the first "Official 525" owners thread that I found, and thanks to the OP for starting it...............Here's to the HDMI board & power supply lasting longer than the 16 months they lasted on my 709!

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by D Bone

Hey everyone. I registered today to join this thread. I am new here, but I'm far from a newbie. My Onkyo 709's HDMI board & power supply went out, and once it is back from the repair shop, I'm going to sell it and cut my losses. I tried a Denon 1713 to replace it, but was unhappy with the OSD disappearing whenever there was a video resolution change while watching DirecTV, so I sent it back.

I run a 5.1 living room based set up comprised of 4 Klipsch Icon WB-14s, 1 Klipsch Icon WC-24 and a Cadence CSX-12 sub. I have no need or desire for 7.1 or video processing in my receiver, so the 525 fits my needs perfectly. Also, I am spoiled by what Audyssey XT does to my system, and more specifically, the bass, so it was also a must as well. I know the 525 'only' sports MultEQ, but from the feedback that I have received, users don't seem to notice a huge difference between MultEQ & MultEQ XT, but I guess I'll be the judge of that. The 525 does have DEQ of course, and the same filter resolution for the sub as XT, and that's what's important to me.

Truthfully, I was never, ever, ever going to buy another Onkyo product again, but I just couldn't get the features that I wanted without buying a bunch of features that I will never use, and that ended up bothering me more. You can probably tell from my gear that value vs performance is important to me.

I will receive my 525 Friday, and it will be calibrated this weekend. I will update my impressions after I get some time on the unit. This is the first "Official 525" owners thread that I found, and thanks to the OP for starting it...............Here's to the HDMI board & power supply lasting longer than the 16 months they lasted on my 709!

welcome to the forum. congrats on your purchase. as you have read, my quick review of the 525 was very honest. it is (by standards of more expensive receivers) considered an entry level. it doesn't have the bells & whistles of some but, it quietly does more than some well above what it cost. the OSD is one of the areas that the term bare bones is very true.

again, for me, it does everything i said it does and it does it well and i'm very happy with it. the only real issue i've had has been with a couple of 192/24 selections on a couple of albums won't play but most of the 192/24 albums that i own do play so, perhaps it will be fixed during an upcoming firmware release. i've sent onkyo an email about the issue.

i have never used multiET XT32 but have used multiEQ & multiEQ XT, hell, for my room size, i was very happy with the 2EQ that my 509 had! i'm easily satisfied!

if you stream music via your home network, your in for a real treat with this receiver. also, for it's price range, the 3D ready & 4K (pass through) video on top of the high rez audio streaming capabilities really make it worth it for me and give it some future use.

i say, give it a chance. your speakers are very efficient and it won't take a lot to drive them. of course, depending on the size of your room and what you have them crossed over at, you should be doing ok. the speakers i have are all mid 90db's so they drive real easy. i also don't like to have blasting audio, don't need it in the bedroom, just want good, clean audio & video. it's also nice to have 5.1 in case i'm really lazy or sick or just want those nice sound effects while watching GRIMM while laying down!

so, keep us posted and let us know what you think, no matter what! also, can't speak to your hope for 16 months trouble free, of course i hope you (and i and all of us that get or have one) have many, years of trouble free use. of course, if you do, remember, it's under warranty for 2yrs so, use it if you need to.

still going, with no major feature/performance issues!

[D Bone]

Well, the 525 only lasted the weekend in my house. I just wasn't happy with the ultimate end result. I don't pretend to know exactly why, but to me it wasn't close to the Denon 1713 it replaced. I ended up buying a Denon X-1000 and am thrilled. Good luck to all 525 owners, and thanks for reading.

[jamesfromdfw]

How do i know if my receiver is pushing out 5.1? All it says is PCM at the top, but it sounds like the same source in all 5 channels....

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by jamesfromdfw

How do i know if my receiver is pushing out 5.1? All it says is PCM at the top, but it sounds like the same source in all 5 channels....

hit the display button once or twice and it will say how many channels and the codec type too. also, you didn't state what source you were listening to at the time. you should check the settings in that as well. if you have a player for example, and it's doing the decoding onboard and digitally streaming the audio vial hdmi, then you are getting PCM. make sure your listening mode isn't set to all channels stereo.

[Go Blue]

I'm looking at a Onkyo 626 and can't tell if it does HDMI pass-through in standby mode. Does this one do it?

[zrdb]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I'm looking at a Onkyo 626 and can't tell if it does HDMI pass-through in standby mode. Does this one do it?

I just got one of these and yes it does but it uses 12 or 13 watts doing it.

[solarrdadd]

sorry to bump my old thread, but, after over 3 long years of problem free service, I have upgraded my bedroom receiver to an ATMOS/DTS:X receiver. as always, my daughter will get my older receiver, this 525. she said she can't wait. it's more powerful than the 509 I gave her 3 years ago when I got the 525 to replace the 509 for my bedroom.

I went with the Marantz NR 1607 low profile a/v receiver; I created a thread of the same name for it. I do want to thank my old 525 for years of unfailing happy service.

I love my daughter and she loves me, she keeps saying I need to upgrade my gear more often!